A Utah man set an Idaho state record back in June, catching a 42-inch Lake Trout inside of Payette Lake, state officials said.
According to a news release from the Idaho Fish and Game, Aaron Goettsch, of Utah, caught the massive fish on June 19 while trolling solo in about 80 feet of water while at the lake in McCall, Idaho.
“Aaron has spent the past three years chasing Lake Trout in Payette Lake, steadily dialing in the fishery and landing some incredible catches along the way,” officials said.
Goettsche just squeaked past the previous catch-and-release record set by Dylan Smith back in 2018, which was 41.5 inches.
Lake Trout population rebounding inside Payette Lake
Officials said the catches of the two massive trout indicate that the Lake Trout population inside Payette Lake is rebounding from the decline that occurred in the early 2000s. The Lake Trout population was thin at the time due to poor prey availability, as well as the number of kokanee, the fish’s “main prey food item,” dropping quickly, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
“It wasn’t uncommon to catch a 30-inch fish that looked like a snake,” Jordan Messner, regional fisheries manager for Idaho Fish and Game, said.
Due to the decline in prey, Idaho Fish and Game launched a plan to boost kokanee numbers while “improving the quality of the Lake Trout population.”
The plan has yielded positive results, with biologists catching and releasing a 54-pound Lake Trout, just three pounds away from the state’s weight record, officials said.
“That means another record is likely just around the corner,” officials added.
How to catch Lake Trout?
According to Idaho Fish and Game, here are some tips on how to catch a “record-breaking Lake Trout”:
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Technique: Trolling or jigging are the go-to and suggested methods.
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Depth: Focus on 35–80 feet, where Lake Trout tend to hold tight to structure.
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Locations: Target underwater ridges, drop-offs and boulder piles.
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Bait: Mimic kokanee. Use realistic lures, tipped jigs, and scent — Lake Trout can be selective, especially when food is abundant.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 42-inch lake trout breaks Idaho state record: See photo
